In my book Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier for Less, I talked about how I grew up going thrift shopping without even realizing it. That’s because my Mainer mother learned to stretch a buck by reusing things and also shopping in thrift environments.
These secondhand shops often weren’t stores at all but rather rummage sales at a local house of worship. Also, we did a lot of yard sale searching, too. As a mother myself, I passed along that love of thrift shopping to my daughters, primarily to teach them how to save money. I’ll never forget how thrilled they were to find Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirts at a Plato’s Closet location for a fraction of what the shirts cost at the mall.
I continue to shop in thrift and resale stores. In fact, right now we’re working on a roundup of the best ones in Southern Maine and hope to publish that article soon.
Why Thrift Shopping is So Popular Still
The art of thrifting is not new. For years, creativity-charged folks have been hacking and refashioning pre-loved clothing into custom, upcycled pieces.
These days, however, as more and more people are aware of the looming evils of fast fashion, the sustainable fashion industry has grown exponentially. In 2022, the global apparel resale market size reached $182.4 billion. Moreover, the thrift store industry is expected to bring in $11.0bn in 2023.
Budget-friendly sustainability is booming. And the benefits of shopping at thrift stores are many. One, you’re often supporting a good cause. For example, our favorite thrift store for home goods is Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. When we shop there, we’re supporting Habitat for Humanity, which builds housing for those in need.
And, two, by buying used, you’re keeping items out of the waste stream. According to For Days, by recycling clothing you’re saving the following:
- 27,000 gallons of water
- 25 pounds of clothing in landfills
- 197 pounds of CO2 emissions
Thrift Shopping Is Affordable
We all know that it feels like things cost more these days. Oftentimes, when you go thrift shopping, you’ll find clothing, accessories and household items at significantly lower prices than traditional retailers.
Take these glass tiles that we bought at ReStore recently. They were selling an unopened box of brown and green glass tile along with a second, partially filled box.
We’d already planned to add tile to our kitchen backsplash. At Home Depot and Lowe’s, we were looking at spending anywhere between $3 and $8 per sheet of tile. We got 20 sheets of tile at ReStore for $15. Fifteen dollars to do a backsplash versus as much as $180? There’s no question this was a great deal.
Finding Unique Accessories at Thrift Stores
Thrift stores overflow with one-of-a-kind items from many different eras. You can look for vintage clothing, retro home decor and rare jewelry. If you can’t find it at your parents’ house, you can probably find it at your local thrift store.
Locally, places like Old House Parts Company in Kennebunk specializes in antique home furnishings and architectural salvage pieces. Recently, I was at a meeting where someone from ReStore was speaking with the owner of Old House Parts, and I overheard them saying that when ReStore gets really old and odd architectural pieces, they’ll get in touch with Old House Parts.
Best Thrifting Tips for Buying Pre-Loved Clothing Like a Pro
If you like to shop for clothing at thrift stores, then it’s important to keep a few pointers in mind. For starters, you want to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for before you start browsing.
I never like to buy pants at thrift stores. However, I’m always open to finding a great top or jacket. So, whenever I go thrift shopping, it is with new tops in mind. You can make a list in the Notes app on your phone to keep you focused at the store and on budget.
However, if you find something that’s just too good to pass up — such as a brand-name find or a price that fits your budget — then go for it. Recently, at the Goodwill Buy the Pound outlet store in Gorham, I spied these two pairs of Ugg shearling boots.
They cost $2 per pound. If they had been in my size, I would have bought them in a second. Talk about your Goodwill finds!
Be Patient and Take Your Time To Look Through Everything
Granted, this is one of the most common thrifting tips and tricks. When you are on a mission to find the best hidden gems in thrift stores, the hunt might take a bit longer than expected.
Scan the aisles with patience to spot the particular color palettes, aesthetics or silhouettes you are looking for. Some stellar pieces might be hidden under piles and piles of vintage goods. This is especially true if you go thrifting at bin stores, like the aforementioned Buy the Pound Goodwill outlet.
You are literally pawing through bins of clothing, toys, bags and more. Also, in these situations, it makes sense to bring along a pair of gardening or other gloves. Your hands are going to get super dirty with all of that digging.
Consider the Cost-per-Wear of an Item To Ensure It’s a Worthwhile Purchase
Here’s one of the best thrifting tips for beginners. Secondhand shopping should always add value to your arsenal.
The true value of a piece can easily be determined by its cost-per-wear. Cost per wear equals the cost of the item divided by the number of times you wear it. So if the cost is $15 and you plan to wear it 20 times within the next 4 months, the cost per wear would be $0.75.
Part of my Goodwill haul from the outlet store was a fleece-lined, oversized black sweatshirt. I spent $2 on it and have already worn it twice. Truly, I will wear it many more times so I know that cost-per-wear will quickly get down to practically nothing.
Check the Quality and Condition of the Clothes Before Purchasing
Unfortunately, in most cases, the art of thrifting leaves no room for error. That’s because purchases are final, so you can’t return an item later on.
When you are in a rush, it’s very easy to miss a small hole here or a stain there. A good thrift shop find may turn into a sustainable shopping disaster. So make sure to double-check everything before purchasing.
That being said, don’t let a little dirt scare you away from a Goodwill find. Make sure you wash everything when you get home anyway, just for good hygiene. That little bit of dust or dirt is likely going to come out in the wash, and then you’re left with a brand-new looking piece of clothing.
Check the Labels and Fabrics To Ensure They Are of Good Quality
Not all fabrics are made equal. Some are butter soft and luxurious, while others are laden with chemicals. Before you swipe your card or hand your cash, check the labels to ensure that the item you are holding is of good quality. Silk, cotton, leather, wool and cashmere are the creme de la creme and will hold more value if you decide to resell them later on.
However, not all of these fabrics are easy to wash at home, as I just suggested. So if you want to clean them before wearing them, only buy fabrics that you don’t need to send to the dry cleaner.
Look for Classic Styles That Never Go Out of Fashion
Whether you are buying new or pre-loved clothing, it’s important to opt for styles that will stay in fashion for decades. White t-shirts, crewneck sweaters, trench coats, tailored trousers — these are classic styles for a reason. So before you opt for something trendy, stop and think about the longevity of your potential purchase.
Don’t Be Afraid To Try on Clothes Even if They Don’t Look Like Your Size
Sometimes, we are so set on the size that we tend to miss out on so many green fashion opportunities. Remember that different brands have different size charts.
If you want to thrift shop like a boss, it’s crucial to try on sizes that might not look like your own. That’s especially true for items like outerwear, sweaters, hoodies and more relaxed silhouettes in general.
Be Open to Alterations or Repairs To Make the Clothes Fit Better
You can score great deals at thrift stores. The only issue is that some of the clothing might not fit properly. That’s why it’s important to be open to the idea of visiting your local tailor if the piece is worth the investment.
Look For Unique and One-of-a-kind Pieces
Among the many benefits of shopping at thrift stores, there’s the thrill of finding one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else owns. This shopping adventure requires you to scan the thrift shop for gorgeous textures, handmade pieces, and vintage treasures ready to be loved again.
How many times have you watched the PBS show “Antiques Roadshow” and learned of a treasure someone found while thrift shopping? Wouldn’t you love to be that person?
Dress for the Occasion
That’s one of the less-talked-about thrifting tips, but have you ever noticed that thrift stores have very few or no fitting rooms? Since most purchases are final, you have to be 100 percent sure about an item before you commit.
That’s why most pro thrifters are spotted wearing form-fitting tank tops and biker shorts or leggings when shopping for pre-loved clothing. This way, they can change in the middle of the store and minimize the try-on time inside the fitting rooms.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Thrill of the Hunt
Whether you love secondhand shopping or you are a beginning thrifter, don’t forget to have fun. Sure, leaving the store without anything special can feel rather disappointing.
But if you really want to score great deals at thrift stores, you have to be equipped with patience. Not all thrift quests are successful. And that’s okay. Have fun and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Your next treasure is right around the corner.
Portions of this article first appeared on Food Drink Life.